#8 – 2B Reese Havens

Why Ranked Here: This ranking is a bet that 1. Reese Havens will make his MLB debut this year at second base 2. When he does so, he’ll be a productive offensive player based on his ability to hit for power and draw walks. His short swing allows him to wait to make decisions on when to swing. He does swing, he leverages good strength to drive the ball.

There are obvious concerns about Havens. The first is health. He’s never played 100 games in a season. The second is now age. Havens will be 25 in 2012. If he’s going to be an impact big leaguer his time is now. The third concerns two red flags statistically: a strikeout rate above 24% at double-A last year and a .372 batting average on balls in play.

However, for all of the concern about Havens, he finished very strong in 2011 at double-A.

2011: The 24-year old started the season a month and a half late, as he recovered from off-season surgery to shave down a rib, and then he missed nearly another month with a lower back strain which the Mets claim was unrelated.

Havens crushed the ball in his final 27 games at double-A in 2011, hitting .330/.418/.553 with nine doubles, four homers, 14 walks and 22 strikeouts.

Dr. Pangloss Says: A second baseman who is in the top half of the league offensively and makes an all-star game or two.

Debbie Downer Says: Or he gets hurt again, and never holds an everyday job